‘Presidential Primary’ Lee Jae-myung National Audit Clash Between Ruling and Opposition Parties

[Asia Economy Reporters Koo Chae-eun and Cho Sung-pil] In an unprecedented situation where the ruling party's presidential candidate appeared at the National Assembly audit as the head of an audited institution, the opposition party focused on highlighting the Daejang-dong development scandal involving Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (currently Governor of Gyeonggi Province). On the other hand, Lee strongly asserted that this issue is a "People Power Party Gate." The results of the Gyeonggi Province audit, held twice on the 18th and the upcoming 20th, are expected to be a critical turning point that will determine the course of Lee's presidential campaign.

Before attending the Gyeonggi Province audit by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office in Suwon on the morning of the 18th, Lee told reporters, "I deeply apologize as the appointing authority for the allegations that some public officials involved in the Daejang-dong development were corrupted and colluded with private business operators." Lee particularly referred to Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, saying, "Since national agencies investigated and the court even ordered detention due to a high possibility of collusion, there must be some wrongdoing," adding, "It is truly regrettable, and personally, I feel betrayed." However, Lee also stated, "The essence of the case is that the People Power Party, as a party policy, obstructed the recovery of the stolen goods, so only half was recovered, a 'half success,'" and claimed, "Later, it was revealed that those who helped the thieves shared the stolen goods. The ones who received the money are the culprits."

When the audit officially began at 10 a.m. that day, lawmakers from the People Power Party sharply criticized Lee's side for not submitting related materials. In response, Lee directly rebutted, saying, "The materials are with Seongnam City, not Gyeonggi Province," creating tension in the audit hall. Addressing the People Power Party lawmakers who questioned him, he said, "The start of corruption is the person who received the money," and shot back, "The Saenuri Party, which the People Power Party belongs to, blocked public development as a party policy in the past."

Meanwhile, the prosecution is expected to request an arrest warrant for lawyer Nam Wook, a key figure in the Daejang-dong development lobbying and preferential treatment allegations, as early as the 19th. The prosecution arrested Nam at Incheon International Airport around 5 a.m. on the 18th immediately after his arrival from the United States. Around 9:30 a.m. that day, the prosecution sent investigators to Seongnam City to additionally secure electronic mail records of employees from the Information and Communication Department.